REMARKS BY H.E. MAJ GEN CHARLES TAI GITUAI (RTD) RJMEC INTERIM CHAIRPERSON DELIVERED AT PEACE DISSEMINATION MEETING ON ROME AND NAIVASHA PEACE TALKS BETWEEN RTGONU AND SSOMA 

 THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2021, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

The Chief Guest: H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan,

-      H.E. Dr. Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan,

-      Hon. Minister Beatrice Khamisa Wani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of South Sudan,

-      Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Head of the RTGoNU Delegation to the Rome Talks,

-      Dr. Paolo Impagliazzo, Secretary General, Community of Sant’ Egidio, 

-      Excellencies, Ambassadors and Chargé d’Affaires

-      Cabinet Ministers

-      Generals

-      Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning!

1.    Permit me to start by congratulating H.E. Ambassador Barnabas Benjamin Marial upon his recent appointment as Minister for Presidential Affairs for the Government of South Sudan. As RJMEC, we look forward to working closely with you, and we count on your very able leadership and a wide range of experiences, to support the Presidency of the RTGoNU, to fully implement the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). 

2.    I thank H.E. Amb. Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan for convening this peace dissemination meeting on the Rome Initiative in Juba today. 

3.    I would like also, to acknowledge the presence of our regional and international partners here today, who have all stood by the people of South Sudan from the beginning. I thank them for always supporting RJMEC and its mandate. I therefore appeal for continued support for full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, and the pursuit of an inclusive and sustainable peace in South Sudan. I also call upon all of us here, to always stand together and support this peace process to its conclusion.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

4.    RJMEC has participated in the various rounds of the Rome Talks as an observer, including the recent one held in Naivasha, Kenya. I must say that so far, the various rounds of talks have been very constructive. 

5.    There is no doubt in my mind that the two parties: the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) are all committed to the talks, and appear determined to pursue a peaceful path to achieve an inclusive and lasting peace in South Sudan. 

6.    So far, there has been some commendable milestones that have been achieved by the Parties, namely: 

a.            the Rome Declaration signed in January 2020;

b.            the Rome Resolution signed in February 2020;

c.             the CTSAMVM Technical Workshop on Implementation of the Rome Resolution convened in Oct. 2020;

d.            the Naivasha Recommitment to the CoHA and Rome Declaration and Resolution of March 2021; and 

e.             the Naivasha Declaration of Principles for Political Dialogue, signed March 2021.

7.    I therefore, would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Parties and the Mediation for the progress that has been made to date. I urge them to continue and maintain the same spirit of dialogue and compromises which has made progress possible and to expedite the Talks and join the peace implementation process. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

8.    As we move forward, however, there are a number of concerns that the Parties to the Rome Talks and the Mediation will have to address to ensure that the gains made so far are consolidated. They include the following:

a.            First, there is need to ensure immediate implementation of what has been previously agreed, for example the inclusion of SSOMA in CTSAMVM structures. This will help ensure adherence to the ceasefire and impartial verification of any alleged incidents of violations or non-compliance; 

b.            Second, there is need for the various SSOMA groups to resolve their internal disagreements, and to work together for the common good, in order to facilitate constructive engagements with the RTGoNU; and

c.             Third, there is need to expedite the political deliberations and conclude a speedy resolution of the root causes of conflicts to ensure they are fully addressed in the course of the ongoing reforms and the Permanent Constitution-making process.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

9.    In conclusion, I once again reiterate RJMEC’s full support to the ongoing Sant’Egidio facilitated Initiative for Political Dialogue in South Sudan. I am very encouraged with today’s dissemination efforts in Juba, and also the recent Naivasha round of talks, because it shows that the peace initiated by His Holiness, Pope Francis in Rome is gradually coming home to South Sudan. 

10.I would like to appeal to all the concerned parties and the mediation to make the desire for an all-inclusive peace a reality.

I thank you!